Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 4:9

"The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you." — Philippians 4:9 (ASV)

Since Paul himself had been their teacher and example, what they had learned from him they were to keep on practicing. The four verbs in this verse form two pairs. The first pair, “learned” and “received,” describes the Philippians’ instruction by Paul, from whom they had been taught Christian doctrine and Christian living. The next pair, “heard” and “saw,” depicts their personal observation of the apostle—both his speech and his conduct. In the early days of the church before the NT writings were written or widely circulated, the standards of Christian belief and behavior were largely taught by being embodied in the words and example of the apostles. Those who follow this apostolic guidance have the additional promise that God, who provides true peace (v.9; cf. v.7), will be with them.